Recreational apparatus



Dec. 4, 1956 Filed April `2&3, 1954 T. F. PAUMEN RECREATIONAL'. APPARATUS s sheets-sheet 1 Dec. 4, 1956 T. F. PAUMEN 2,772,722

RECREATIONAL APPARATUS Filed April 28, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 f fm 7?/ ff/ 777A INVENTOR. 7715000- FHQuME/v rraR/VE y T. F. PAUW-:N 2,772,722

RECREATIONAL APPARATUS Dec. 4, 1956 Filed April 28,' 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. /c/

6 77/600'0795 E' R40/15N Arran/vs y United States Patent O RECREATIONAL APPARATUS Theodore F. Paumen, Chinook, Mont. Application April 2s, 1954, senaiNo. 426,094

3 Claims. (Cl. 155-63) This invention relates to a recreational apparatus of the swing type adapted for use by one or ytwo persons, particularly children, whereby recreation, physical exercise and amusement result.

The invention includes a frame and alined outwardly extending seat members swingably related to the frame, which may be suspended from a relatively high support to insure maximum accelerated oscillation of the frame, the effect of which is to produce pleasure and enthusiastic activity.

The invention also includes means, whereby the suspended frame may be adjusted to meet various conditions and means, whereby the seat members may be adjusted relative to the frame for adaptation to children fof different heights and ages.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved swing comprising a frame Isuspended from a suitable support and having alined seat members, their inner ends being pivotally mounted on the frame intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof and their outer ends being suspendedV from the support for movement relative'to the frame during oscillation of the latter. j

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved swing wherein provision is made for positioning the swingable frame at different levels with respect to the ground and positioning of the seat members relative to the frame and ground level -to meet various circumstances, whereby children may readily seat themselves on and off the seat members without danger of losing their balance and suffering a fall.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved swing of economical construction and comprising few parts, readily assembled, and insuring durability; because of the simplicity of the construction, a child quickly and subconsciously acquires an understanding of how to mount a seat member and operate the swing.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my'inven'- tion relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. l'is a perspective view of a vswing embodying my invention; v

Fig. la is a side elevationg, v

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on the line 2,2 of Fig. l, enlarged; 9 Y 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;'7` .7

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on the line 4--4 of Fig.la; p i

Fig. 5 is a perspective View illustrating theconnection between the partsfoftheframe; v

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a modified form of construction; Y

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7--7 of Fig. 6; and` Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view. A

In the drawings, 1 indicates as an entirety a frame suspended by spaced ilexible members, such as cables or chains, preferably ropes 2, 2a, from a ceiling A (see Fig. la). The upper ends of the ropes 2, 2a, are connected ceiling A by eye bolts 3a and depending therefrom. Thel 2,772,722 Patented Dec. 4, 1956 to the ceiling A by suitable devices such as loops and hooks 3 and 3a.

The frame 1 consists of upper and lower parallel cross bars 4, 4a, the respective corresponding end portions of which are formed with alined openings S-Sa,V 6--6a, respectively, for a purpose later apparent. 7, 7a, indicate spaced, parallel struts between and connected at their opposite ends to the bars 4, 4a. The struts 7, 7a, are equally spaced from the opposite ends of the bars 4, 4a, and co-operate with the latter to provide a rigid frame. The cross bars 4, 4a, and struts 7, 7a, may be formed of wood, the latter being connected to the cross bars 4, 4a, by mortise joints 5 (see Fig. 5). the cross bars 4, 4a, and struts-7, 7a, have the same width and thickness and may therefore be cut from the same stock to reduce the cost of fabrication. Each strut 7, 7a, when connected to the bars 4, 4a, is disposed transversely of and interlocked thereto against being twisted to insure a rigid relationship between the cross members 4, 4a, and a stable support for the opposite ends of a shaft 7x on which the inner ends of sea-t members 8, 8a, are mounted for movement relative to the struts, during oscillation of the swing, as later set forth. As shown, the rope Z extends through the alined openings 5, Sa, whereas the rope 2a extends through the alined openings 6, 6a, the ropes 2, 2a, below the cross bar 4a, being provided with rests 9 on which the frame 1 is supported. Each rest 9 is Vadjustably connected to the adjacent rope, whereby the frame 1 may be supported at selected levels with respect to the ground. Each rest 9 consists of a pair of clamping elements 9 engaging under pressure the opposite sides of the adjacent rope by means of bolts or screws 9a. The opposite end portions ofthe clamping elements 9 are formed with longitudinally elongated slots 9b through which ythe Shanks of the bolts 9a extend. When an adjustment is to be made, both nuts are backed up relative to the Shanks to release the rope; the bolts are then free to move within the slots 9b, 4so that movement of the clamping elements 9 endwise of the adjacent rope to the desired level may be readily effected.

The seat members 8, 3a, are elongated and supported in the same plane, as later set forth, the opposite sides of each seat member adjacent its inner end being provided with rigid plates 10, which extend endwise outwardly to provide a pair of parallel arms 10. The outer end portions of each pair of arms 10 are formed with -alined openings and are disposed in overlapping relation with the other pair of arms, whereby the openings in both pairs of arms 10 may be in registered relation to accommodate the shaft 7x (preferably consisting of la bolt). The opposite end portions of the shaft 7x extend through alined openings 7 formed in the struts, 7, 7a, and serve to pivotally support the inner ends of the seat members 8, 8a, on the latter. 2x, 2x,indicate flexible members, preferably ropes, connected at their upper ends to the I ropes 2x, 2x are disposed in a plane midway between and at right angles to the plane of the ropes 2, 2a, and

their end portionsl extend through alined openings v8', re-V spectively, formed in the outerend portions ofthe seat members 8,` 8a; .the ropes 2x, 2x', are provided below the latter with lrests 9x, with which the seat members engage; the rests V9x co-operate with the shaft 7x vto support the seat members horizontally. As shown, the eye bolts to which the ropes 2x, 2x', are connected, are spaced a distance equal to that of the openings 8', so that the seat members 8, 8a, are maintained horizontally throughout their range of oscillation, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. la.

The major portion of each seat member 8, 8a, extending inwardly from its outer end, is relatively wide, thereby providing a seat for a child and thus afford protection As shown,

against the childs displacement during the latters activity inoperating the swing; whereas the inner portion of the seat member is reduced in width to accommodate at opposite sides thereof the knees and legs of the child.

Provision is made for positioning the seat members 8, 8a, at selected levels to accommodate children of different heights and facilitate their getting on and off of the seat members. The outer ends of the seat members 8, 8a, engage rests 9x which are similar to the rests 9; accordingly, the rests 9x provide for the adjustment of the outer ends of the seat members endwise of the ropes 2x, 2x. The adjustment means for the inner ends of the seat members 8, 8:1, consist in forming in the struts 7, 7a, a plurality of vertically disposed through openings 7', each opening 7 in one strut being alined with an opening 7 in the other strut. Accordingly, by positioning the shaft 7x in those alined openings 7', correspond ing to the level to which the rests 9x are adjusted, the seat members 8, 8a, will be disposed in horizontal positionat the selected level. Either adjustment referred to may be initia ly effected prior to the other adjustment.

Operation: to operate (a) the child sits on one of the seat members 8, 8', with the childs legs straddling the narrow inner portion of the seat member, and the feet engaging the lower cross member 4a; the child then, with its hands, "rasgos the upper cross member 4, and (b) by a push with the feet on the cross member 4a and a pull on the cross member 4, movement of the frame 1 in one direction takes piace; then, upon release of the push-pull pressure the frame l swings in the opposite direction completing the initial oscillation. By repeating these push and pull operations in co-ordinated relation to the successive oscillations of the frame i, the to-and-fro travel of the frame and seats will be accelerated through a long arcuate path depending upon the physical or muscular ability of the chiid. Where both seats 8, 8a, are occupied these respective operations of push and pull are alternately applied to the frame by the two children the reverse movement ofthe initial oscillation is accelerated and the maximum acceleration of the frame is attained in a shorter period of time.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show a moditicd form of construction, wherein the swing is suspended from an overhead or elevated member iti, the opposite ends of which are mounted on sets of suitable supporting elements 11 engaging the recreational surface of playground B. Each set of supporting elements is shown as consisting of a pair of diverging tubes 1in, the upper ends of which are connected to a hollow, elongated fitting 12 into which the adjacent end portion of the member it) removably telescopes. Each fitting Il?, is formed with one or more screw threaded openings, each provided with a set screw 12a arranged to removably or rigidly secure the parts and 12 together. The supporting elements of each set may be braced by a cross member lib. Fig. 6 shows two swings in side-by-side relation separately suspended from the member it), whereby all four seats may be occupied at the same time and independently operated. As shown, the swings are similar in construction and similar to the construction shown in Figs. l and la. The suspension means for the swings are similar in construction so that one only thereof will be referred to as follows (like parts being identified by t e same reference characters); 13, 13, indicate elongated members, substantially of semi-circular shape in cross section and iitting the upper and lower sides of the member 10. The opposite side edges of each member i3 are hanged, as shown at 33a. The flanges 13a at the opposite ends of the members 13 are formed with alined openings for bolts 14 arranged to rigidly secure the members 13 together and to the overhead member 10. The lower member 13, inwardly of its opposite ends, is provided with attaching devices 15, preferably consisting of annular elements to which the upper ends ofthe ropes 2, 2a, may be connected in any well known manner. 16 indicates a transverse support fixed to and extended laterally at opposite sides of the members 13. The transverse support 16 preferably consists of a channel 16a engaging the upper member :i3 and a truss le!) engaging the lower member 13 and rigidly secured in a suitable manner at its opposite ends to the end portions of the channel 16a; for example, by nuts i7, threaded on the Shanks of eye-bolts i751 and removably yengaging the bottom wall of the channel 16a and truss i615; as shown, the upper ends of the ropes 2x, 2x', are suitably connected to the eye-bolts 17a. 13, i8, indicate bolts extending through spaced openings formed in the channel 16a, fiangespa, and truss lob and spacers 19, these parts being rigidly connected together and to the member it? upon tightening of the nuts 18a.

It will be understood that the parts of the suspension means shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 may be readily disassembled for storing. Where two swings are provided, as shown in Fig. 6, one frame l and the seat members 8, 8a, thereon may be adjusted and xed at levels above or below the corresponding parts of the other swing, to accommodate children of different ages and/or heights. Where the ropes Z-Za, Zx-Zx, are suspended from a high level, such as a ceiling or supports in a building, the frame 1 may be actuated to oscillate through long arcs and hence attain relatively high elevations at the levels where reverse movements become e ective, thereby providing maximum exercise and enthusiastic activity for teen-agers and adults.

What I claim is:

l. A swing comprising a pair of main flexible members the upper ends of which are adapted to be connected to and depend from elevated supporting means, the lower end portions of said members being provided with supports releasably clamped thereupon, Va frame consisting of upper and lower parallel transverse members, the oppositeouter corresponding end portions of which are respectively formed with alined openings through which said flexible members extend, and spaced parallel struts extending between and rigidly secured at their Vopposite ends to said transverse members, said lower transverse member being arranged to engage and to rest upon said supports, whereby said frame is supported on and swingable with said flexible members relative to the elevated supporting means, a shaft in the form of a bolt disposed between and parallel Ito said transverse members and extending through so as to be supported at its opposite ends on said struts, seat members disposed at right angles to said frame and pivotally mounted at their inner ends onsaid shaft, a separate pair of flexible members the upper ends of which 4are adapted to be connected to and depend fromv the elevated supporting means in a plane at right angles to said main iiexible means, and means releasably clamped upon said separate pair of flexible members for supporting engagement with the outer ends of said seat members and arranged to co-operate with said shaft to support said seat members substantially horizontally.

V2. A swing as claimed in claim l wherein said struts are provided with means for adjustably supporting said shaft at selected positions 'therealong 3. A swing as claimed in claim l hereof and in which the inner ends of said seat members have overlapping parallel projections with registering apertures through which said shaft extends for mounting said seat members.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,393,774 Gushman Oct. 18, 1921 2,129,140 Knight Sept. 6, 1938 2,358,098 Pippin Sept. l2, 1944 2,524,967 Ellis Oct. l0, 1950 v FOREIGN PATENTS 139,381 Great Britain Mar. 4, 1920 

